Andrew Furey, the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, has officially announced his resignation after nearly five years of serving the province. His unexpected decision came during a live news conference held on February 25, 2025, where he expressed pride and fulfillment in his accomplishments yet acknowledged the necessity of stepping down, citing personal reasons.
Furey, who began his political career after being elected as the Liberal Party leader following Dwight Ball's resignation, was elected to the premier's office on August 3, 2020. During his time, he led the government through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and became known for his involvement and transparency during daily briefings. This unprecedented situation marked his initial foray as Premier, which he has reflected on as 'a wild and unexpected adventure.'
"It has been with a heart full of pride and hard-earned confidence in the future of Newfoundland and Labrador, now I must move on," he stated, emphasizing the need to return to his family and the career he loves as a surgeon. Furey's departure marks the end of his tenure before the province is due for elections by October—allowing the party ample time to elect another leader.
While outlining his achievements, Furey highlighted the renegotiation of the long-standing energy agreement with Quebec concerning the Churchill Falls generation station. "History made and past wrongs rewritten," he referred to the outcome, believing it would lead to projected benefits of $200 billion to both provinces over decades.
Furey also commented on other challenges faced during his administration, including financial issues related to the Muskrat Falls project and threats of trade complications with the United States. He described the previous months as hard-fought and thanked Newfoundlanders for their resilience during these tough times.
His announcement came shortly after another Atlantic premier, Dennis King of Prince Edward Island, shared similar news about his resignation, sparking discussions about political stability in the region.
The political community and citizens alike are now left contemplating Furey's legacy and the future leadership of Newfoundland and Labrador as they prepare for the upcoming electoral process.